#3a-1

I just started this sentence about six times. Really, there's no easy way to describe Acronym. Secret brand? Techninja? Luxury high-tech? A little of each. But somehow, these descriptions, and their combinations, miss something essential about Errolson Hugh's line of high-powered (and high-priced) clothing, outerwear, and bags.

William Gibson described Errolson as "My favorite 21st-century designer. Period." And that might be all the description you need. The subtle futurism of the whole brand certainly matches Mr. Gibson's aesthetic. Constructed from state of the art textiles and guided by a unique vision, Acronym pieces can do magic. Take the gravity pockets, for instance - jacket sleeves that house small items inside them for quick deployment. Swing your arm downward and you've got the item in your hand. There's also the escape zip, a zipper system (that I still don't understand) which allows you to remove the jacket while wearing a seatbelt or messenger bag. Even something as simple as a set of magnets in the collar for attaching your earbuds becomes an epiphany of how the concept of a "user experience" can extend to clothing.

The descriptions of pieces on Acronym's website talk in terms of articulation, environmental interfaces, stability, and speed; terms a German automotive engineer or a traceur might use to describe their craft. Systems and subsystems of cleverly-arranged snaps, zippers, magnets, and loops form something that feels less like it's worn, and more like it's operated. There's this sense that the brand might actually have spent a little too much time thinking about their products (know of any other brands with their own glossary?). But of course, we soon realize that this is untrue. "Too much design" is a myth. Simply take a look at an iPhone. Years of work went into the design, and the result is a device that has shaken the cell phone market to its very core, both for its hardware and for its software design. You simply cannot take design too seriously.

I've wanted to cover Acronym for a long time. My attempts to contact them until now had been unsuccessful. But I've finally received permission to use images from the Acronym website, and so I shall.

Without further ado:

The flagship of the Acronym bag lineup is the 3A-1 messenger. 

Composed of Dimension-Polyant X-PAC for maximum capabilities without the weight of more conventional bag materials. The 3A-1 uses hardware developed for the German Special Forces.

Strap adjustment is performed via a pull ring on the main strap that attaches to a hook. Like so:

ACR_MOV_1 from ACRNM on Vimeo.

Very, very cool.

Going back to the "interface design" aspect of Acronym's offerings, this bag functions with specific jackets that have a feature known as "Interops." Basically, the 3A-1 works with the zipper design and cut of the jacket to position the bag comfortably under it while maintaining operational stability and accessability (see now I'm doing it). Here's a picture of Interops in action with one of Acronym's old pieces, a cloak.

For larger loads, the 3A-5TSR is Acronym's current cargo-carry system.

Also made of X-PAC (with Cordura reinforcements), the 3A-5TSR has the same main hardware, but with their TEC SYS (Acronym-branded PALS webbing) and a whole lot more room. It also includes a shoulder pad, retractable carry handle, a back pad, and an inner support strut system for maintaining its shape when off the body.

This is the bag I'd get if I bought an Acronym bag.

The TEC SYS webbing allows for a variety of accessories, including the 3A-MK1 and 3A-MP1 pouches. At one point, they even had a solar-charged battery pack. Typically, they release different TEC SYS accessories each season.

Lastly, Acronym's got a tote on offer. Normally, I don't do totes. But, honestly? I'd even consider wearing this thing (I know, I know). The 3A-9TS:

TEC SYS webbing on a tote? I've said it in the past, I have no idea how they successfully made a tote look tactical, but they've done it.

With a stabilizer strap, it can be worn secure on the back.

although it hangs a bit low (good thing it's got a zippered opening).

Of course, all these designs come at a price. And a rather high one, at that. The 3A-1 is 386 Euro, or about $480. The 3A-9TS clocks in at 427 Euro, which is about $530. And the 3A-5TSR? That will cost you 743 Euro, which comes in just shy of $930.

This is the price (literally) of all that design. Despite the cost, Acronym products don't have much trouble leaving the shelves. Pieces are often released in limited sets (the clothing and outerwear especially), and only two seasons a year (Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter).

To my mind, Acronym's strength lies in its vision. Admittedly, the full creativity of design is best expressed in their jackets (no, seriously, go check them out), but even in the bags there are some ideas that simultaneously make me go "wow" and "why hasn't anyone else done this?" I mean, we're only recently starting to see PALS loops in non-military gear. Solar-paneled bags have been around a bit longer, but a modular, removable solar panel with battery pack? Special interface design for using your bag in conjunction with a jacket? These are the concepts that show a careful and considered approach to design. Interfaces do not end with computer screens and smartphones. We interface with every object we touch, especially the clothing and accessories we wear. It's clear that Acronym has made this a focal point of their design. I can't wait to see what's next.

Further reading:

ACRNM.COM

ACRONYM.DE